No Less Than Seven Teams Interested In Pelfrey

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that no less than seven teams have interest in Mike Pelfrey, adding that there is a need for mid-level starters even if they are coming off Tommy John surgery.

The Mets non-tendered Pelfrey on Friday which you can read more about below.

Updated Post 11/30

The Mets have officially parted ways with former first-round pick Mike Pelfrey. The team declined to offer him a contract before Friday night’s non-tender deadline making him a free agent.

The team also non-tendered outfielder Andres Torres and reliever Manny Acosta. The team tendered contracts to first baseman Ike Davis, second baseman Daniel Murphy, reliever Bobby Parnell and catcher Josh Thole.

The decision to non-tender Pelfrey comes as no surprise considering he earned $5.7 million in 2012 and could not be offered anything less than $4.9 million.

Manager Terry Collins has expressed interest in bringing back Pelfrey as a reliever and to give the team added depth in the rotation, but Pelfrey made clear today his intention is to sign with a team who will give him a starting role. Pelfrey told ESPN New York:

“For me, I prefer to start… It doesn’t make sense to have Tommy John and then go to the bullpen. I feel like I can give a team 200-plus innings, which is pretty valuable. Coming into camp as the extra guy is not something I would want to do… I didn’t work that hard to be an extra guy. I want to take the ball every fifth day. Obviously, numbers-wise, if they have five starters, I wouldn’t come back… If the Mets have five starters, I guess I’ll end up pitching somewhere else.”

Pelfrey, 28, ends his Mets career with a 50-54 record and 4.36 ERA in 149 starts for the club. he expressed gratitude to the team for sticking with him through good times and bad times.

Original Post 11/27

Adam Rubin writes that barring a last-minute trade, the Mets plan to non-tender three players by the Friday night deadline — righthanders Mike Pelfrey and Manny Acosta and center fielder Andres Torres, according to major league sources.

The Mets could bring all three back on lesser one-year deals or minor league deals.

Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, Bobby Parnell and Josh Thole are all expected to be tendered and will receive significant salary increases.

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